--- title: "I-CE-NY Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review" description: "Explore the I-CE-NY franchise. Investment: $146K-$404K. 15 locations. Grade: b. Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Desserts." url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/i-ce-ny" canonical: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/i-ce-ny" markdown_url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/i-ce-ny.md" type: "FranchiseBrand" brand: "I-CE-NY" sector: "Fast Food & Fast Casual Restaurants" category: "Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Desserts" investment_low: "146400" investment_high: "404300" total_units: "7" grade: "B" operating_model: "Owner-Operator | Multi-Unit | Semi-Absentee" --- # I-CE-NY Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review Explore the I-CE-NY franchise. Investment: $146K-$404K. 15 locations. Grade: b. Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Desserts. ## At a glance - **Brand:** I-CE-NY - **Sector:** Fast Food & Fast Casual Restaurants - **Category:** Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Desserts - **Total initial investment:** $146,400 – $404,300 - **Total units (FDD Item 20):** 7 - **FranchiseGrade grade:** B - **Operating model:** Owner-Operator | Multi-Unit | Semi-Absentee - **States with locations:** FL, TX ## I-CE-NY — franchise facts ### What is the total initial investment required to open a I-CE-NY franchise? Total investment ranges from $146,400 to $404,300 depending on location, equipment selections, and initial inventory levels. This encompasses franchise fees, build-out costs, working capital, and pre-opening expenses. The variation reflects different market conditions and site sizes across franchise locations. ### What is the initial franchise fee for I-CE-NY, and what does it cover? The franchise fee is $25,000, positioning the brand as moderately priced within the fast-casual dessert segment. This one-time fee provides access to brand systems, training programs, site selection support, and initial operational guidance to launch your location successfully. ### What ongoing fees, royalties, or required contributions do I-CE-NY franchisees pay? Franchisees pay 4% royalty on gross sales, 2% for the advertising fund, and 1% for local marketing initiatives. Combined, these fees represent 7% of revenue, which is competitive within the fast-casual restaurant industry and supports brand development and marketing. ### What financial requirements must candidates meet to qualify for a I-CE-NY franchise? Most franchisees require liquid capital between $75,000 and $150,000 to cover the franchise fee, initial inventory, and working capital reserves. Net worth requirements typically align with total investment expectations, and lenders often view the dessert category favorably due to consistent cash flow patterns. ### Are financing options or third-party funding programs available for I-CE-NY franchisees? Many franchisees utilize Small Business Administration loans, equipment financing, or personal investment to cover startup costs. Speak with an SBA-approved lender about loan programs specific to food service franchises, and explore franchisor financing partnerships if available. ### What initial training does I-CE-NY provide to new franchise owners? I-CE-NY provides 59 hours of comprehensive training covering 19 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of on-the-job experience. Training addresses operations, product quality, customer service, inventory management, and financial controls before your location opens. ### What ongoing support and resources does I-CE-NY offer after opening? The franchisor provides operational support, marketing guidance, supply chain assistance, and periodic training updates throughout your 10-year initial term. Franchisees benefit from access to a network of peer locations for best practice sharing and troubleshooting operational challenges. ### Does I-CE-NY assist with real estate and site selection for new locations? I-CE-NY offers site selection guidance to identify high-traffic locations with strong foot traffic and demographics aligned with premium frozen dessert consumption. The brand evaluates visibility, parking, tenant mix, and local competition to optimize location performance potential. ### What does the day-to-day role of a franchise owner look like with I-CE-NY? As a franchisee, you manage daily operations including staff scheduling, product quality, customer service, and financial oversight. Most owners are actively involved in their location, particularly during early stages, though systems support semi-absentee operation as the business matures and staff expertise develops. ### Can I-CE-NY be operated as an owner-operator or semi-absentee franchise? I-CE-NY locations typically require owner involvement during startup and early growth phases to establish systems and train staff. Once operations stabilize and management teams develop, many franchisees transition toward semi-absentee models with strong general managers handling day-to-day execution. ### What type of lifestyle and time commitment should owners expect with I-CE-NY? This franchise suits entrepreneurs who enjoy customer-facing businesses and want flexibility to build equity in multiple locations. The dessert category offers seasonal traffic patterns that vary by region, and owners should be comfortable with retail hospitality environments and local marketing responsibilities. ### What territories or markets are currently available for I-CE-NY franchise ownership? The brand currently operates in Florida and Texas with plans for expansion in additional states. Specific territory availability depends on market saturation and franchisor growth strategies, so interested candidates should discuss their preferred location early in the evaluation process. ### Does I-CE-NY offer multi-unit ownership or expansion opportunities? I-CE-NY actively supports multi-unit franchisees through area development agreements and expansion financing assistance. The brand's strong growth trend and proven operational model make it attractive for entrepreneurs seeking to build regional presence with multiple locations. ### Are area development or master franchise opportunities available with I-CE-NY? Area development agreements allow qualified franchisees to develop multiple units within defined territories over specified time periods. This pathway suits experienced operators with sufficient capital and management capacity to scale regionally while maintaining quality standards. ### How does I-CE-NY approach unit-level profitability and financial performance? Frozen dessert locations typically achieve healthy unit economics with high-margin product sales and consistent customer traffic. Profitability depends on location quality, operational efficiency, labor management, and local marketing effectiveness, with payback periods often between 3 to 5 years. ### What sets I-CE-NY apart from competitors in its market segment? I-CE-NY competes through premium product quality, reasonable royalty structures, and a supportive franchise culture emphasizing growth. The brand's focused market presence in high-growth regions and demonstrated franchise retention suggest a stable system with aligned incentives between franchisor and franchisees. ## Research this brand - Full profile: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/i-ce-ny - Compare it side by side: https://www.franchisegrade.com/compare - Check affordability against your capital: https://www.franchisegrade.com/affordability-calculator - Franchise terms used above: https://www.franchisegrade.com/tools/franchise-glossary --- *Source: [FranchiseGrade](https://www.franchisegrade.com) — independent, FDD-derived franchise research.* *Cite this page as: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/i-ce-ny* *Training, indexing and quotation are permitted — please attribute and link to the source URL above. Full-text reproduction of the whole page is not. Licensing: privacy@franchisegrade.com*